An understanding and appreciation of diverse peoples, cultures, and perspectives informs the intellectual framework on which our institutional mission is based and is critical to Scripps’ realization of its goal to become the premier liberal arts college in the country. The College is committed to demonstrating that respect of differences among people is a prerequisite to achieving institutional excellence.
Through its policies and its actions, Scripps strives to create an environment in which acknowledging and engaging issues of race, ethnicity, religion, belief, opinion, economic class, age, gender, sexuality, and ableness are inextricably part of the experience of the campus community.
We believe that respect for difference is a fundamental priority for achieving institutional excellence.
We support learning that explores a variety of values, cultures, and viewpoints that are expressed nationally and globally.
We value the collective contribution of all stakeholders within this community, who come from a wide tapestry of backgrounds and perspectives.
We believe that our Scripps community is stronger when it is comprised of a wide tapestry of students, faculty, and staff, so that all engage in the opportunities present, from multiple points of view, and through expression and dialogue.
We strive to continually recognize and take action when change is needed to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive community.
We are committed to advancing an inclusive community that denounces discrimination and promotes compliance with relevant federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws.
We acknowledge that Scripps College began as a deliberate, planned college community to serve one underserved group in our society: women. Scripps College strives to continue to promote gender equity through its mission and vision.
We hope that our commitment to these guiding principles will promote creativity in problem solving, enhance critical thinking, and develop our strengths as teachers, researchers, administrators, colleagues, and as learners.
We understand that including new people may strain others’ assumptions and customs. We understand it may be uncomfortable and difficult. We understand that everyone who joins in this endeavor will need to commit to the Principles of Community, particularly the section that encourages “expression of the broadest range of opinions and beliefs,” while recognizing that “such expressions may offend, provoke, and disturb.”
We welcome the necessary discomforts that will ensue, because we believe that part of a great education is discomfort with all that we may think we know, from whatever perspective we come. Students, faculty, and staff will learn to share their insights and ask others for help in new and different ways.